plain jane Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Would you consider Climbing Parnassus a must read for a parent who would like to give their children a Classical education? What will I come away with after having read this book? I'm also looking at Who Killed Homer as I've seen that one recommended here as an easier read. Which would you recommend? Also, is Climbing Parnassus as hard a book as a lot of the reviews here say it is? :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) I think I'm a minority here as someone who did not like "Climbing Parnassus". I thought it was poorly written and that really distracted me, considering its message. Personally, I think Doug Wilson's books on Classical education are much better and are must reads. I also like Dorothy Sayer's "The Lost Tools of Learning". And then there is always "The Well Trained Mind"! Edited January 3, 2010 by Jean in Newcastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cedarmom Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I loved the book. It laid out the reasons why learning Latin is so important. A must read...hmmm, I don't know, but I would put it at the top of my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Would you consider Climbing Parnassus a must read for a parent who would like to give their children a Classical education? What will I come away with after having read this book? I'm also looking at Who Killed Homer as I've seen that one recommended here as an easier read. Which would you recommend? Also, is Climbing Parnassus as hard a book as a lot of the reviews here say it is? :tongue_smilie: I didn't love it. I didn't finish it. Ymmv, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I read it and thought it was pretty good, but wouldn't say it was a must read. I didn't find it to be a hard read, just slow going at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 :bigear::lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I think I'm a minority here as someone who did not like "Climbing Parnassus". I thought it was poorly written and that really distracted me, considering its message. I thought so too. It was too flowery. It could have been a much shorter book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LG Gone Wild Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I'm in the middle of it. I am not a patient reader and this is not a skimming book. Thus, I find it hard. Not being particularly well-educated myself, I find it trying to slog through unknown references and SAT words. So far, I've enjoyed what I have read. This book is my reading to-do list. I say yes, it is a must read if you want to step up your game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Lynx Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Yes, if you wish to give your children a classical education, it is definitely worth reading. I didn't find it all that difficult to read. It's flowery, yes, but I enjoyed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Here's a thread you might be interested in reading. http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98076&highlight=killed+homer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) I think I'm a minority here as someone who did not like "Climbing Parnassus". I thought it was poorly written and that really distracted me, considering its message. Personally, I think Doug Wilson's books on Classical education are much better and are must reads. I also like Dorothy Sayer's "The Lost Tools of Learning". And then there is always "The Well Trained Mind"! Climbing Parnassus was the most over-rated book I've ever (attempted to) read. I can't stand Doug Wilson. And I flunked Henty too. But I've been here for years, so no one will ban me for my tastes. Besides, I loved TWTM. :) Edited January 4, 2010 by Kristine out of lurking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 It could have been a much shorter book. I hated this book. Tracy Lee Simmons is a pompous a**. A "short" version of the book: For a person to be considered "educated" they must know Greek AND Latin. I (Tracy Lee Simmons) am an educated person. YOU, however, are NOT! YOU are only kidding yourself if you think YOU could be as awesome as ME. Don't even try! Your efforts are futile, and I won't aid your efforts in delusion by offering practical advice for learning ancient languages or classical culture, because I (Tracy Lee Simmons) would be wasting my precious breath. Hot-air that could be better used comparing myself to the enormously well educated people of the classical tradition, which does not include YOU, poor simpleton. Whadda you think? Have I captured the flavor? Bill :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plain jane Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 I hated this book. Tracy Lee Simmons is a pompous a**. A "short" version of the book: For a person to be considered "educated" they must know Greek AND Latin. I (Tracy Lee Simmons) am an educated person. YOU, however, are NOT! YOU are only kidding yourself if you think YOU could be as awesome as ME. Don't even try! Your efforts are futile, and I won't aid your efforts in delusion by offering practical advice for learning ancient languages or classical culture, because I (Tracy Lee Simmons) would be wasting my precious breath. Hot-air that could be better used comparing myself to the enormously well educated people of the classical tradition, which does not include YOU, poor simpleton. Whadda you think? Have I captured the flavor? Bill :tongue_smilie: :lol::lol: Got any recommendations of books/authors you have liked, Bill?? :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 :lol::lol: Got any recommendations of books/authors you have liked, Bill?? :bigear: Let's put it this way, Tracy Lee Simmons sure makes one appreciate Susan Wise Bauer :001_smile: Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyboys Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 So far, I've enjoyed what I have read. ....... I say yes, it is a must read if you want to step up your game. That's how I've felt about it. I come away from it not with a how-to list but energized that this classical homeschooling venture is possible and worthy of the effort -- an effort which will require more of me as the years go by. So it's good for me to find works that are interesting and compelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 CP isn't a hard read, it's an awful read. It bugged the crap out of me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Ha! :lol: I hated this book. Tracy Lee Simmons is a pompous a**.A "short" version of the book:For a person to be considered "educated" they must know Greek AND Latin. I (Tracy Lee Simmons) am an educated person. YOU, however, are NOT!YOU are only kidding yourself if you think YOU could be as awesome as ME.Don't even try! Your efforts are futile, and I won't aid your efforts in delusion by offering practical advice for learning ancient languages or classical culture, because I (Tracy Lee Simmons) would be wasting my precious breath. Hot-air that could be better used comparing myself to the enormously well educated people of the classical tradition, which does not include YOU, poor simpleton.Whadda you think? Have I captured the flavor?Bill :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peela Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I hated this book. Tracy Lee Simmons is a pompous a**. A "short" version of the book: For a person to be considered "educated" they must know Greek AND Latin. I (Tracy Lee Simmons) am an educated person. YOU, however, are NOT! YOU are only kidding yourself if you think YOU could be as awesome as ME. Don't even try! Your efforts are futile, and I won't aid your efforts in delusion by offering practical advice for learning ancient languages or classical culture, because I (Tracy Lee Simmons) would be wasting my precious breath. Hot-air that could be better used comparing myself to the enormously well educated people of the classical tradition, which does not include YOU, poor simpleton. Whadda you think? Have I captured the flavor? Bill :tongue_smilie: When I first read CP, I was feeling very ignorant and getting into the true meaning of the whole classical thing, and I was impressed with CP....now, a good couple of years later, I can completely relate to Bill's comments. I think a good writer is more like Susan Wise Bauer- well educated but not flaunting it with huge words and flowery language. Not showing off how well she can write to an elite audience.....writing so that people can access her knowledge. Clear, warm and inviting writing that inspires you to further educate yourself, rather than making you feel like a dolt. In retrospect, I think Simmons was intellectually arrogant and superior...but I doubt he'd care what anyone thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I felt like I was sitting at the foot of Mt. Everest and I had never climbed a hill. I like instructional, inspirational books, but when they are sooooooo out of the realm of possibility for a person (of few dollars and 24/7), they become firestarters. I have enough discouragement throughout the journey, you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chanda7 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I couldn't make myself get through the book a couple of years ago. I'm glad to know it wasn't just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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